U.S. patent application number 10/280276 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-06 for radiopaque marking of lead electrode zone in a continuous conductor construction.
This patent application is currently assigned to Medtronic, Inc.. Invention is credited to Belden, Elisabeth L., Boser, Gregory A., Dollimer, Michael R., Morris, Mary M..
Application Number | 20030045920 10/280276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24771348 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030045920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Belden, Elisabeth L. ; et
al. |
March 6, 2003 |
Radiopaque marking of lead electrode zone in a continuous conductor
construction
Abstract
A cardiac transvenous defibrillation lead has a continuous coil
conductor within a layer of insulation. A portion of the coil
conductor is exposed as a defibrillation electrode. In order to
enhance fluoroscopic visualization of the exposed electrode during
implant, the end of the exposed electrode is marked with a
radiopaque element. The element may be in the form of an adhesive
filled with radiopaque material that is used to backfill under the
layer of insulation. Alternatively, a tube made of radiopaque
material may be installed between the layer of insulation and the
coil conductor.
Inventors: |
Belden, Elisabeth L.; (Maple
Grove, MN) ; Boser, Gregory A.; (Richfield, MN)
; Dollimer, Michael R.; (Burnsville, MN) ; Morris,
Mary M.; (Mounds View, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEDTRONIC, INC.
710 MEDTRONIC PARKWAY NE
MS-LC340
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55432-5604
US
|
Assignee: |
Medtronic, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
24771348 |
Appl. No.: |
10/280276 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10280276 |
Oct 25, 2002 |
|
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|
09690163 |
Oct 17, 2000 |
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|
6501992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
607/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N 1/0563
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
607/122 |
International
Class: |
A61N 001/05 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A transvenous defibrillation lead, comprising: a continuous coil
conductor; a layer of insulation over the coil conductor and
providing for a distal portion of the coil conductor to be exposed
as a defibrillation electrode; and a body of adhesive filled with a
radiopaque material positioned as a backfill under the insulation
layer at a location adjacent the proximal end of the exposed
defibrillation electrode.
2. The lead of claim 1 wherein the radiopaque material is tantalum
powder.
3. A transvenous defibrillation lead, comprising: a continuous coil
conductor; a layer of insulation over the coil conductor and
providing for at least one segment portion of the coil conductor to
be exposed as a defibrillation electrode; and a tube of radiopaque
material installed between the insulation layer and the coil
conductor at a location adjacent the proximal end of the exposed
defibrillation electrode.
4. The lead of claim 3 wherein the radiopaque material is barium
sulfate.
5. The lead of claim 3 wherein the radiopaque tube is a Pt/IR
spring.
6. The lead of claim 5 wherein the Pt/IR spring extends from under
the outer insulation at the proximal end of the electrode out over
a portion of the electrode.
7. The lead of claim 3 wherein said at least one segment portion of
coil conductor is tapered.
8. The lead of claim 3 wherein said at least one segment portion of
coil conductor includes a cross-sectional diameter at variance with
the lead diameter.
9. A transvenous defibrillation lead, comprising: a continuous coil
conductor; a layer of insulation over the coil conductor and
providing for a at least one segment portion of the coil conductor
to be exposed as a defibrillation electrode; and a radiopaque
marker element disposed beneath the layer of insulation and at a
location adjacent the proximal end of the exposed electrode.
10. The lead of claim 7 wherein said radiopaque marker element
marks the lead's defibrillation zone.
11. The lead of claim 10 wherein said radiopaque marker is a
portion of the inner assembly tubing in the lead's defibrillation
zone.
12. The lead of claim 10 wherein said lead's defibrillation zone
represents an exposed portion of the conductor in a patient's
heart.
13. A method of marking a lead to distinguish portions of electrode
and non-electrode segments of the lead after implant, the method
comprising: providing a layer of insulation over a continuous coil
conductor; and providing a body of adhesive filled with a
radiopaque material positioned as a backfill under the insulation
layer at a location of the electrode segment.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising: determining the
position of said portions of the electrode segment in the heart
based on the radiopaque marking.
15. The method of claim 13 where said radiopaque marking is
implemented to place at least one of said portions of the electrode
segment in a specific zone of the heart for pacing and
defibrillation procedures.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to implantable medical
devices. Specifically, this invention relates to implantable
electrode leads and implantable stimulators, and more particularly
to implantable electrode leads as implemented in implantable
defibrillators and similar pacing medical devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Implantable ventricular defibrillators, including
multi-programmable, pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator ("PCD"),
typically employ epicardial or subcutaneous patch electrodes,
alone, or in conjunction with one or more transvenously introduced
endocardial leads with one or more electrodes disposed within a
heart chamber or blood vessel. Ventricular defibrillation is
typically effected with at least one electrode extending along an
endocardial lead body disposed within the right ventricle and one
or more additional defibrillation electrodes disposed outside the
right ventricle to provide two or more defibrillation current
pathways through the chamber of the heart to be defibrillated.
Other endocardial defibrillation leads for transvenously
introducing and positioning defibrillation electrodes into the
right atrium and/or superior vena cava, the coronary sinus, the
right outflow track or other locations in proximity to the heart
have been disclosed in the prior art, including commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,407 to Williams.
[0003] The typical endocardial lead defibrillation electrode is
configured as an elongated wire of high conductivity that is
spirally space wound or close wound about the lead body for a
length appropriate for the intended use. The spacing of the coil
turns retains flexibility of the lead body along the length of the
electrode and distributes the electrode surface area along the
length thereof. The wire cross-section is typically circular, as
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,143 to Holleman et al., or
rectangular, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,953 to Gold et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,422 to Dahl et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,653
to Kroll et al., although other wire configurations, e.g. the
wrapped coils of U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,485 to Mar et al., have also
been proposed. The coiled wire electrode may be formed of a single
wire or in a multi-filar configuration of interlaced wires. The
coiled wire turns are typically partially embedded into the
underlying lead body insulation to mechanically stabilize the
exposed coil turns at the distal portion and direct the
defibrillation current outward of the lead body.
[0004] When one continuous coil performs as the conductor and the
electrode, the exposed electrode portion cannot be distinguished
from the insulated portion when the lead is implanted because the
entire length of the lead is of equal radiopacity. Thus, it becomes
difficult to see with precision where the exposed electrode portion
of the coil resides within the heart--the right ventricle, atrium,
superior vena cava, etc. One approach has been to ascertain in
advance the length of the exposed electrode portion and based on
that information estimate the position of the electrode. However,
if the anatomy creates a curvilinear path, difficulty is
encountered in making the estimate without multiple fluoroscopic
views.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need to accurately determine the
position of the electrode to strategically place the lead in the
heart within a zone, provide effective delivery of electrical
charges at the zone and enable selective positioning of the
electrode.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed towards defibrillation
leads and defibrillation lead systems that have a continuous coil
construction within an insulation layer and an exposed electrode
portion proximate the distal end of the lead body. The wire from
which the coil is made will typically have an outer layer of
platinum or platinum iridium to provide an effective electrode
surface that is bio-stable and biocompatible. In particular, the
present invention seeks to address the problem associated with such
leads of determining with precision where the exposed electrode
portion resides within the heart when the lead is being implanted.
In general, the present invention addresses the problem by marking
the electrode with additional radiopacity. In one approach, an
adhesive filled with radiopaque material is used to backfill under
the distal end of the outer insulation at the proximal end of the
exposed electrode portion. Alternatively, a band of radiopaque
material can be placed at either end of the exposed electrode
portion. The result obtained is that enhanced fluoroscopic
visualization of the electrode portion of the coil lead is
provided, and the precise location where the exposed electrode
resides within the heart is more readily ascertained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become better understood from the following detailed description of
illustrative embodiments thereof when considered in conjunction
with the drawing figures wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a section view of the distal end of a coil
defibrillation lead according to a first embodiment of the present
invention and wherein an adhesive filled with radiopaque material
is used to backfill under the insulation layer at the proximal end
of the exposed electrode portion of the lead; and
[0009] FIGS. 2A and B depict section views of the distal end of a
coil defibrillation lead according to a second embodiment of the
present invention, and wherein a band of radiopaque material is
installed at the proximal end of the exposed electrode portion of
the lead.
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a section view of the distal end of a coil
defibrillation lead according to a third embodiment of the present
invention wherein the radiopaque marker element is extended beneath
the entire length of the exposed portion of the coil.
[0011] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict (a) section views of the distal end
of a coil defibrillation lead according to a fourth embodiment of
the present invention wherein the diameter and/or cross-section of
coil conductor 12 can be varied in the exposed segment forming the
active electrode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows the distal end of a lead 10 in accordance with
the present invention. Lead 10 is suitable for use as a transvenous
right ventricular defibrillation lead. The cross-section view of
FIG. 1 shows that lead 10 has an elongated lead body comprising a
coiled wire conductor 12 within an insulating layer 14. The coil
conductor 12 is preferably a helically-wound coil that defines a
hollow center with an axial bore. Outer insulation 14 terminates at
a predetermined distance to form the exposed electrode portion 18.
Inner assembly 16 could be a tubing to provide a lumen for stylet
passage or it could be an insulated cable conductor. The tip of
lead 20 could be an insulated termination of the lead body or an
electrode. Clearly, such a structure will need an inner tubing
under the coil to prevent fluid leakage into the core of the lead
body through the exposed portion of the coil, to provide support
for exposed portion of the coil, and as a surface to carry the
radiopaque marking for the coil. A body 22 of adhesive material is
positioned as a backfill under the insulation layer 14 at the
proximal edge of the exposed electrode 18. The adhesive contains
radiopaque material such as tantalum powder. The additional
radiopacity will blend with the coils in the backfill region and
show as a larger diameter fillet. The appearance of the larger
diameter will serve to assist in determining where the exposed
electrode resides within the heart as the lead is being placed
during implant.
[0013] In FIG. 2A, a second embodiment is shown. In this
embodiment, a tube 24 of radiopaque material is installed between
the coil conductor 12 and the inside surface of the insulation
layer 14. The tube may be a ring made from platinum iridium or a
polymer tubing made radiopaque using barium sulfate as a filler. As
shown, the tube 24 is placed along the lead at a location adjacent
the exposed electrode 18. A preferred embodiment employs a platinum
coil 24 as a marker band. The marker coil is partially contained
beneath insulation 14 and extends over the exposed electrode 18 (in
order to strain-relieve the transition zone) as shown in FIG. 2B.
One aspect of the invention enables this structure to be adaptable
to various lengths that may be required for enhanced radiopacity.
The structure further provides a strain relief at the transition
points between the layers of structure elements of lead 10 and
segments of radiopaque material.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 3, an additional layer of tubing 4 or a
portion of the inner assembly tubing in this zone that is meant to
be radiopaque with a filler such as barium sulphate can be
installed beneath the coil along the entire length of the exposed
section of coiled conductor 12. Similarly, a backfill of adhesive
filled with radiopaque powder can be applied along the entire
length of the exposed coil conductor 12 between coil filars. It
should be noted that adhesive backfill 14 could be filled with any
radiopaque element in the form of powder that is biostable.
[0015] Further, the diameter and/or cross-section of coil conductor
12 can be varied in the exposed segment forming the active
electrode. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict this embodiment of the present
invention. Specifically, FIG. 4A shows a reduced pitch over the
length of exposed segment of coil conductor 12. Similarly, FIG. 4B
shows a diminished section over the length of exposed coil
conductor 12. In both embodiments, adhesive backfill 15 is
implemented to isolate the exposed section of lead 10 from the
unexposed sections.
[0016] In a further aspect of the invention, the radiopaque marking
would also be useful for a catheter of similar construction. In
this type of application, preferably a portion of reinforcing metal
braid in the wall of a catheter is exposed as an electrode.
[0017] Although only a distal portion of the defibrillation lead 10
is shown in the drawing figures, the remaining structure of the
lead, as well as modifications and variations on the structure
shown, is known to those of skill in the art. Further details of a
suitable overall lead configuration may be obtained, for example,
from the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,374 and 5,728,149,
both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0018] While the present invention has been described with
reference to particular illustrative embodiments for purposes of
explanation and illustration, modifications and variations may be
undertaken to produce lead structures that differ from those shown
and discussed herein without departing from the concepts of the
invention. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a radiopaque
adhesive backfill may also be placed adjacent the distal end of the
exposed electrode. As such, the embodiments disclosed herein are to
be considered exemplary rather than limiting with regard to the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *